Apple MacBook Pro 15 - 2017

Overview

The MacBook Pro is not a Mac Pro replacement. The next closest thing to the Mac Pro is the forthcoming iMac Pro, but failing that, a 4K or 5K iMac will fit the bill for horsepower. If you need oomph plus portability, get a MacBook Pro. If processing power and RAM are first in your mind, get a 4K or 5K iMac for fewer bucks than a less powerful MacBook Pro will cost. Otherwise, wait to drop $5,000 or more on an iMac Pro.

-- As reviewed by AppleInsider

There is a new version available:

Apple MacBook Pro 16 - M1 Pro/Max

Check out the reviews, price history, pros/cons and more.

See it on Amazon: $2099

TechSpot Metascore

Based on 14 expert reviews

Excellent:

5
Good:

6
Average:

1
Bad:

2

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Last revision on March 22, 2021

Reviewers Liked

The updated 15-inch MacBook Pro gets faster processing and graphics options
Sturdy, sleek aluminum build
Beautiful display
Excellent Category-leading 15-hour battery life

Reviewers Didn't Like

Having only USB-C ports can be a hassle
Very expensive
Competitors offer a 4K screen for less

Direct Competitors and Related Products

Our editors hand-pick these products using a variety of criteria: they can be direct competitors targeting the same market segment or can be similar devices in terms of size, performance, or features.

Expert reviews and ratings

By PC Mag on July 14, 2017 80

This year's MacBook Pro is similar to last year's model, adding slight improvements in speed and major battery life improvements to the iconic design. If you're willing to pay the premium, it's the best large-screen Apple laptop yet.

By Alphr on July 12, 2017 100

And despite the understandable pangs of loss for SD card slots and USB Type-A, these are without question the most refined, high-end laptops I’ve ever used. If you can stomach the increased prices and single-minded connectivity, and you just so happen to be sold on the macOS way of doing things, then there’s simply nothing to touch them. And even if you’re a die-hard Windows fan, don’t be afraid – the new MacBook Pros might be just the change you’ve been waiting for.

By Gadget Guy Australia on July 10, 2017 92

As using the Apple MacBook Pro 15 inch is a seriously impressive computer. And now that the mid-year refresh has arrived, it costs a little less and performs a little better than the model reviewed here.

By cnet on July 02, 2017 80

Even if you're not sold on the idea of the Touch Bar, this slightly updated MacBook Pro is still the king of high-end laptops, especially for the creative...

By CNET Australia on July 02, 2017 80

Even if you're not sold on the idea of the Touch Bar, this slightly updated MacBook Pro is still the king of high-end laptops, especially for the creative...

By techadvisor.co.uk on June 30, 2017 80

It's excellent news that Apple has moved to the seventh generation Intel Kaby Lake processors, we are also pleased to see new graphics cards. Performance is outstanding. The 15-inch MacBook Pro would still benefit from a few other pro features, a 4K display for one, 32GB RAM being another.

By NotebookCheck on June 26, 2017 80

Apple's multimedia notebook MacBook Pro 15 is back on par with the rivals in terms of processor performance thanks to the Kaby Lake update. The new models are therefore more attractive, especially for power users in need of as much CPU performance as possible. Apple also ships the new entry-level model with a slightly more powerful GPU. Its strength is definitely the efficiency and the low heat development.

By Digital Arts Online on June 26, 2017 80

There are main reasons to wail on the MacBook Pro – the largely pointless Touch Bar, the annoying lack of even a single USB port (where's my adapter gone, damnit) – but I'm happy to say that the MacBook Pro is back. Especially if you don't like touchscreens.

By AppleInsider on June 24, 2017 90

By Macworld UK on June 16, 2017 40

It's excellent news that Apple has moved to the seventh generation Intel Kaby Lake processors. Of course the eighth generation chips probably won't be that far away but if we always waited for the next big thing we'd never get anything new to play...

By Bare Feats on September 05, 2018

September 5th, 2018, by rob-ART morgan, mad scientistThe 13-inch MacBook Pro is popular. With a Quad-Core i7 processor, how does the top 2018 MacBook Pro 13-inch compare to the "low-end" 15-inch 2018 model (or a "high-end" 2017 model)?GRAPH...

By zdnet.com on June 01, 2018

For mobile professionals, the ideal computer is probably an 'ultraportable' laptop -- a device suitable for carrying day in, day out, in a briefcase or backpack. Obviously it needs to be lightweight and relatively compact, but at the same time it should...

By networkworld.com on December 06, 2016

That’s no surprise. The MacBooks are caught in tough spots—even if they were running, higher-performance configurations. They’re both ultra-expensive compared to most PCs and at the top-end, outclassed in GPU performance by Microsoft’s comparably expensive Surface Book i7.

By Gizmodo on November 21, 2016

The best competitor might have really cool features like a detachable hinge and a touchscreen, but it can't trump Apple where it counts -- in the speed department. If you've already blown your thousands on the new MacBook Pro than rest easy, it's still faster than the other ridiculously overpriced laptop.

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Apple MacBook Pro 15 - 2017

Overview

Pros & Cons

Reviews

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Price: $2,651

Apple MacBook Pro 16 - M1 Pro/Max

TechSpot Metascore

Reviewers Liked

Reviewers Didn't Like

Direct Competitors and Related Products

Apple MacBook Pro 15 - Mid 2019

HP EliteBook 830 G5

Dell XPS 15 2-in-1

HP EliteBook 1040 G4

Apple MacBook Pro 13 - Mid 2017

Microsoft Surface Book 13.5" - Mid 2017

Huawei MateBook X 13"

Dell XPS 15 (9560)

Expert reviews and ratings